MELBOURNE.- The Melbourne Art Fair announced details of its 2014 program that promises to make August the most vibrant and dynamic month of this year’s Australian visual arts calendar.

Presented from 13th until 17th August in Melbourne’s iconic Royal Exhibition Building - one of the world’s oldest exhibition pavilions - the 2014 Melbourne Art Fair will showcase outstanding work from the best galleries in Australasia through exhibitions, satellite events, free education programs and art projects around the city.

The Fair also continues as the epicentre of the ambitious Melbourne Art Week, a seven-day citywide program of lectures, forums, free children’s workshops and events.

The 2014 program includes the Vernissage: A Celebration of Living Artists, a citywide Collector Program, and two new exhibition concepts MAF Platform and MAF Video. MAF Platform is a new initiative for 2014 that presents young galleries and artist run initiatives (ARIs) showcasing emerging talent, whilst MAF Video will present a curated selection of the best new media and video art by artists at the forefront of their field.

The Melbourne Art Fair is presented by the Melbourne Art Foundation, the not for profit organisation established to help strengthen the Australian visual arts industry. The Foundation identifies and promotes the work of living Australian contemporary artists to galleries, collectors, artists and the art-informed public through key initiatives such as the biennial Fair.

The Melbourne Art Fair’s new Director, Barry Keldoulis, described the 2014 program as extremely bold and inspiring: “Our selection of artists and galleries for 2014 will build on the Melbourne Art Fair’s grand traditions and significantly add to the excitement the event always generates,” said Mr Keldoulis.

Melbourne Art Week will run from 11th until 17th August, commencing with the Keynote Speaker address at NGV International, followed by the Galleries and Collectors’ Dinner at the Sofitel. Melbourne Art Week is designed to showcase Melbourne as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that thrives on its diverse culture. It will involve neighbouring precincts in a series of artistic collaborations, plus free public events, talks, and educational workshops and activities at commercial galleries around town.

The exclusive First View and popular Vernissage will officially launch the Melbourne Art Fair on Wednesday 13th August. This year, the Vernissage is a celebration of living artists with some of Australasia’s leading artists invited to attend as Guests of Honour.

Among the Fair’s highlights will be the unveiling by the Melbourne Art Foundation Commission of a new, large-scale and highly ambitious installation piece by a prominent Australian artist. Previous artist commissions have included major works by Ian Burns (2012), Jon Campbell (2010), Peter Hennessey (2008), David Griggs (2008) and Michael Parekowhai (2006).

The Collector Program returns in 2014, offering exclusive access for collectors to Melbourne’s thriving contemporary art scene. The 2014 program includes behind-the-scenes experiences in Melbourne’s premier art institutions, generous admission and access opportunities, a Collectors’ Lounge, collection tours and invitations to private parties and hosted dinners.

Melbourne Art Fair Lectures and Forums, presented in association with Museum Victoria, will return in 2014 with a series of lively panel debates, discussions, lectures and forums presented over four days.

The 2014 Melbourne Art Fair will be held from 13th until 17th August 2014 at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building located at 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria. Melbourne Art Week runs from 11th until 17th August at locations around the city. Details of participating galleries and artists will be announced in May 2014.